Odds-on favorite Jonbon delivered a commanding performance to claim victory in the Melling Chase on the second day of the Grand National meeting at Aintree.
The nine-year-old, backed at 4-6, initially raced among the front trio before jockey Nico de Boinville settled him into a more measured position. As the race progressed, Jonbon surged ahead on the second circuit, pulling clear of the competition before De Boinville guided him home for a decisive three-and-a-quarter-length win over Protektorat.
Jonbon Triumphs in Melling Chase at Aintree
This victory serves as redemption for Jonbon, who had to settle for second place in last month’s Champion Chase at Cheltenham following a costly mistake.
Reflecting on the win, De Boinville told ITV, “There was a lot riding on that. Jonbon gets us out of trouble again.” He praised the team behind the horse, including trainer Nicky Henderson and owner JP McManus, saying, “They’ve kept the faith in us. After yesterday [with Constitution Hill], we had to pick ourselves up, and thankfully, I get to ride incredible horses like Jonbon. He’s an absolute superstar.”
The jockey noted a stark contrast between Jonbon’s performances at Cheltenham and Aintree, stating, “He was a completely different horse today. He really enjoyed himself out there. When he’s on song, he loves his jumping.”
For Henderson, this marked his fifth win in the Melling Chase. He acknowledged Jonbon’s struggles at Cheltenham but was thrilled with the performance at Aintree. “That Champion Chase just doesn’t seem to work for him. Today, he showed what he truly loves – they went at a strong pace, and that suits him best. He was brilliant, and his jumping was outstanding,” Henderson said.
Jonbon’s win in the Melling Chase marks his second triumph in the race and his 10th top-level Grade One victory. Remarkably, he has maintained a perfect record in races outside of Cheltenham.
Matata secured third place, while El Fabiolo, trained by Willie Mullins, suffered a fall on the second circuit.